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A fake passport, bags of cash and 20 buffalo - why the Phala Phala story doesn't add up

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Alleged Phala Phala thief Imanuwela David splurged on R250 000 dental jewellery after police in South Africa and Namibia identified him as a suspect.
Alleged Phala Phala thief Imanuwela David splurged on R250 000 dental jewellery after police in South Africa and Namibia identified him as a suspect.

In the sweltering heat on Christmas Day in 2019, Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa arrived at the gate of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm near Bela-Bela in Limpopo with two canvas bags stuffed with millions of rands worth of dollars.

He happened to have heard that this farm was selling buffalo, and the man who apparently does not even own a farm of his own, travelled two hours north of Johannesburg where he had landed at OR Tambo International two days before to look at the buffalo after traversing approximately 10 kilometers of dusty, bumpy gravel road.

READ | Missing docket and a mystery phone call: How the police bungled Phala Phala investigations

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